The world's 10 best food markets you must visit

Spice baskets at a market in Istanbul credit: istock one time use for Traveller onlyCredit: iStock

If you want to wrap your tongue around some great local food, here's where to go when hunger calls.

SHILIN NIGHT MARKET, TAIPEI, TAIWAN

Credit: Alamy

Founded over a century ago as a fish market, this market near Jiantan MRT station now sells clothes, furniture and goldfish too, but is best in the evenings, when locals come to eat to the blare of surrounding video-game and karaoke arcades. Bag yourself a bargain meal from any of 500 street stalls serving dumplings, meat skewers, fish-ball soup, oyster omelettes and bubble tea. See eng.taiwan.net.tw

VIKTUALIENMARKT, MUNICH, GERMANY

Credit: Alamy

This open-air food market has operated in Munich's old town since 1807. Everyone from top chefs to students comes to buy fresh produce and cut flowers. For visitors, it's a great place to shop for picnic goods such as bread, cheese, smoked fish, sausages, sushi and Bavarian apples and pears. Sit at the beer garden's tables to eat – though only those not covered with a tablecloth. See munich.travel

FLOATING MARKET, RATCHABURI, THAILAND

Credit: iStock

This early-morning river market 100 kilometres from Bangkok is lively and colourful. If you don't know what a starfruit, Chinese grapefruit or zirzat is, it's time to give your taste buds a treat. Floating kitchens drift past with offerings of crispy fried noodles with shrimp, coconut custard cooked in miniature pumpkins, and coconut cakes wrapped up in neat banana-leaf parcels. See tourismthailand.org

ALBINELLI MARKET, MODENA, ITALY

Credit: Alamy

Every Italian town has a decent market or three, but the covered market in Modena wins on several counts: its architectural elegance, local atmosphere and fantastic food quality. Collect fabled Emilia-Romagna produce such as Parma ham, balsamic vinegar and parmesan cheese for a picnic, or eat tortellini and fried cod balls at one of the small stalls, accompanied by a Lambrusco wine. See mercatoalbinelli.it

CENTRAL MARKET, ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA

Credit: Adam Bruzzone/SATC

With over 200 stalls, Central Market is the largest fresh-produce market in Australia and a wonderful microcosm of its multicultural mix. The fishmonger is Greek, the grocers Italian, the noodle-stand owner Malaysians, the fruiters Chinese and Vietnamese. Poke, sniff and nibble through a dozen deli counters, then kick back at one of the cafés: the coffee is the best in the city. See adelaidecentralmarket.com.au

NASCHMARKT, VIENNA

Credit: Alamy

Vienna's open-air market, operating since the fifteenth century, has plenty of general produce, but is also known for specialty stalls serving the likes of gourmet vinegars, olive oils, pickles and cheeses. Food stands, sit-down restaurants and trendy wine bars encourage you to linger; DJs entertain the crowds at weekends. Indian, Vietnamese, Sichuan, Israeli and other international dishes allow for a change from Austrian fare. See wien.info

FERRY PLAZA FARMERS' MARKET, SAN FRANCISCO, USA

Credit: Alamy

Open Tuesdays, Thursdays but biggest and best on Saturdays, this market has a fabulous range of California produce with an emphasis on organic and sustainable goods such as seafood, bread, pickles, citrus fruits, cheese and jam. For the immediately hungry, there's plenty of ready-to-eat street food from tacos to kebabs, pizzas and pastries. The ferry terminal also has several fine-dining restaurants. See ferrybuildingmarketplace.com

EGYPTIAN BAZAAR, ISTANBUL, TURKEY

Credit: iStock

This is a food market for shopping rather than eating. Buy bottles of olive oil (Komili is reckoned the best brand), floral teas, dried fruit and Iranian caviar sold in glass jars. Inspect sacks of nuts and dried fruit and aromatic pyramids of herbs and spices, including dried mango, turmeric and aniseed, as well as piles of sweet pastries oozing with honey. See misircarsisi.org.tr

COURS SALEYA, NICE, FRANCE

Credit: iStock

You're spoiled for food-market choice in France, but this street bathed in sparkling Mediterranean sunlight is a treat. It kicks off in early morning with bric-a-brac, cut flowers, fruit and vegetables and the freshest of seafood. Later in the day small bars spill onto the pavements, where you can have a bargain-priced wine and accompanying quiche, zucchini-flower fritters or stuffed sardines. See cotedazurfrance.fr

BYWARD MARKET, OTTAWA, CANADA

Credit: Alamy

This is a brilliant representation of multi-ethnic Canada across a few city blocks: delis crammed with Polish sausages, brewpubs from which Celtic fiddling flows, patisseries piled with French and Hungarian treats, shawarma restaurants rich with the aroma of roasting meats. In the farmers' market, you'll find local delights such as berries, honey and maple syrup. Beaver tail is the local snack: a crunchy fritter sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar. See byward-market.com

See also: The ten dessert capitals of the world

See also: Ten endangered species you shouldn't eat